SLATE: Soccer splits the weekend

The real lead coming out of the weekend was the statement by Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff that a decision on expansion would be forthcoming within the next two weeks. But that’s really the extent of the newsworthy content of that statement, and pretty much every story about it is locked behind a paywall.

So, on to actual sports.

Thursday night, the athletic year opened for Kansas State in disappointing fashion as the Wildcats were unable to find the net in a 2-0 loss to Weber State at Buser Family Park. K-State actually had more shots on goal, forcing Weber State keeper Kaytlin Bradley to make seven saves. But Alaina Werremeyer was beaten twice in five opportunities, giving up goals almost precisely at the one-third and two-thirds mark of the game.

Sunday, however, was much more pleasant. North Texas transfer Marisa Weichel — sister of sophomore Maddie — found the net off a Brookelynn Entz feed in the seventh minute as Spart of a corner kick set piece. After that, it was all defense as the Wildcats hung on for a 1-0 victory over Nebraska-Omaha. Sophomore Peyton Pearson got the start in goal and posted her third shutout in five tries, aided by a defense that only allowed Omaha to put three shots on goal the entire afternoon.

Next for the ladies: a game of intense interest to our own Luke Thompson as the Cats host Austin Peay on Friday night.

Volleyball was also on the docket this weekend at Bramlage, although it was just of the exhibition variety. The Wildcats dropped the first set 25-19, but went on to take the next two 25-13 and 25-23 before putting UMKC down in a hard-fought 30-28 fourth set which was capped off by a match-point ace from Mackenzie Morris. Aliyah Carter recorded 15 kills and 11 digs, once again leading the way. The season begins in earnest on Friday in Lincoln as the Wildcats will take on Colgate, Tulsa, and hosts Nebraska at the Husker Invitational.

Jim McLaughlin, who spent four years at Ahearn and left Suzie Fritz behind when he left for Washington, will be inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame on December 16. McLaughlin is the only coach to win both men’s and women’s Division I national championships, and during his time in Manhattan took the Cats to the NCAA Tournament every year and to the Elite Eight in his final campaign.